Boston North End Little Italy

Guide to Boston's Little Italy

Discover the gems of Boston’s Little Italy with our helpful guide!
By Katie Sagal

From restaurant recs to local hotels and historic attractions, there’s plenty to do in Boston’s Little Italy!

Boston’s Little Italy, known to locals simply as the North End, is always a popular neighborhood to explore. The local population in this area is largely Italian — many have been in Boston for generations.

The North End is a neighborhood filled with sumptuous authentic cuisine, engaging cultural events, and historic buildings. We hope our guide to Little Italy will help you get the most out of this slice of Boston. 

Boston North End intersection

Where is Little Italy in Boston? 

For starters, remember that it’s really called the North End. Locals don’t refer to it as “Little Italy”. Asking for directions to that neighborhood may get you a few blank stares. The North End is in the area of the peninsula north of where Highway 93 runs through and under the city. 

Bordered by Massachusetts Bay on the other three sides, the North End is a small but densely-packed neighborhood, with very narrow streets and barely any parking. To get there, we recommend taking the T (the local subway train system) to Haymarket Station. 

Boston Little Italy

Best Restaurants in the North End 

It’s hard to narrow it down to just a few of the best Italian restaurants in Boston. But we’ve picked a few to get you started. They range in price and vibe, with most falling somewhere in the mid-tier price point. Due to the historic nature of the neighborhood, most are in smaller structures, with unique layouts and cozy dining areas. 

Little Italy in Boston signs

Best Pizza: Regina Pizzeria 

Locals will wait in lines for over an hour after the bars close for a slice at this iconic Little Italy pizza joint. But if you time your visit well, you won’t need to wait so long. Regina Pizzeria has been serving up delicious brick oven pizza in the North End since the 1920s. Keep in mind that it’s a counter-serve place, so you won’t find much seating indoors. 

Pizza in Boston

Best Southern Italian Restaurant: Antico Forno 

Antico Forno is a modestly-sized venue with a relaxed vibe. It is a mouth-watering spot for Southern Italian cuisine and Neapolitan-style pizza. They also boast a great wine list and delicious cocktails. The atmosphere is a perfect mix of classic Italian décor and historic Boston charm. 

Boston Little Italy houses

Best Date-Night Spot: Mamma Maria 

Mamma Maria is a romantic little venue in a beautiful townhouse. Travel experts regard it for its locally-inspired cuisine. The restaurant is organized around five private dining rooms, so it's an intimate setting for that special date. Local food critics love it too, making it a smart choice for visiting foodies. 

Best Special Occasion Restaurant: Tresca 

It doesn’t get much more Bostonian than a high-end Italian restaurant owned by one of the most famous athletes in the city’s history: NHL Bruins player Ray Bourque. The restaurant itself is elegant and upscale, offering mouth-watering cuisine with Tuscan inspiration. It’s the ideal spot for a special treat. 

Boston Little Italy North End

Best Italian Pastry: Mike’s Pastry 

Another place with lines out of the door on weekend nights. Mike’s Pastry is a legend on the Boston dining scene. It’s a small bakery but the display cases are chock full of classic Italian pastries. You'll find everything from cookies and cannoli to zeppole and tiramisu. Founded in 1946, Mike's Pastry have since opened a couple more locations in the Boston area.

Pistachio cannoli

Best Chain Italian Restaurant: Maggiano’s Little Italy 

This is technically located south of the North End roughly in the Back Bay area. Maggiano’s Little Italy is a reliable spot for family-style Italian cuisine. It’s a relatively upscale place but not too expensive, offering what feels like an elevated dining experience in a beautiful downtown neighborhood. 

Italian cuisine in Little Italy

Take a "Little Italy" food tour

Short on time, but still want to tuck into all the tasty treats the North End has to offer? Opt for a "Little Italy" food tour. You'll venture down old-world cobblestone streets, take in the aroma of fresh bread from bakeries, and taste some of the most authentic pasta dishes around. 

🍴Book the tour🍴 

Hotels Near the North End 

The North End is also close to a number of hotels. A few include the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown / North Station, Boston Marriott Long Wharf, citizenM Boston North Station Hotel, Kimpton Onyx Hotel, The Boxer, and the Bostonian. You’ll also find Bricco Suites in the North End itself. Just keep in mind that these hotels will come at a premium price due to their location. 

Hotels in the North End, Boston

Boston Attractions in the North End 

As a historic neighborhood in Boston, the North End offers plenty to do before (or after) you’re enjoying that special Italian meal. Want to make a day or a weekend of your visit to the North End? Check out a few of these popular spots. 

  • The Paul Revere House: Home of the famed silversmith best known for warning the Americans of incoming British troops. This historic house is open for tours and serves as a museum of the American Revolution. 

  • Old North Church: Dating back to 1723, this is where Revere ordered two lanterns to be hung to signal that British troops were coming by sea. It’s actually the city’s oldest surviving church building.

  • Copp’s Hill Burying Ground: A 17th and 18th-century burial ground, you can find many historical graves here, including the Mather tomb. Iconic Bostonians were laid to rest here, including Prince Hall, the anti-slavery activist. Edmund Hartt, the master carpenter who owned the shipyard that housed the USS Constitution is also buried at Copp's Hill.

  • Great Molasses Flood Plaque: Although it won’t take you long to look at this memorial to one of the most bizarre tragedies in Boston’s history, this plaque is also right near the waterfront, where you can see loads of ships sailing.

Boston North End sign

Save on North End Attractions 

Discover our full line-up of Boston attractions including the View Boston Observation Deck, the USS Constitution Museum and the Salem Witch Museum.

🤩If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.

😎If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.

Boston Harbour

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10+ Things to Do in Boston Labor Day 2019 Weekend & September

The end of summer, traditionally marked by Labor Day, is a great time to enjoy that last getaway before school and work pick back up again. If you're taking a Labor Day weekend trip to Boston, you won't be short of things to do. Many fun local activities and attractions in Boston offer special events or exhibits at the end of August into September, so there's a lot of promise in late summer vacations. So make the most of the last few days of summer in Boston! If you’re looking for things to do in Boston Labor Day weekend 2019 and into September, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions. A few ideas include: St. Anthony's Feast New England Aquarium Whale Watch Fenway Park Tour Swan Boats of Boston Somerville Fluff Festival And more! Save on Attraction Admission Regular admission to a number of these Boston attractions are included on the Go Boston® pass. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Please note, the special events taking place at these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go Boston pass. Searching for more events later in the fall? Check out our Boston Fall Events post for fun activities in October and November. St. Anthony’s Feast August 22-25, 2019 The North End Headlining the weekend before Labor Day is the very Boston-esque St. Anthony’s Feast. This has long been famous as the largest Italian religious festival in New England. It’s a huge affair that takes over much of the North End neighborhood: part parade, part pageantry, part ceremony, and all excitement. The actual procession begins at noon on Sunday. The Santa Lucia festival brings up the rear on Monday, a shorter but no less grand celebration. This is a must do for a local Labor Day experience -- be sure to add it to your itinerary. For a full schedule of events, consult the St. Anthony’s Feast website Getting In: Admission to St. Anthony's Feast is free. New England Aquarium Whale Watch Fenway Park Tour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour Go for a Bike Ride Swan Boats of Boston The Boston Children’s Museum While there are tons of great museums in the Boston area that appeal to the whole family, the Boston Children’s Museum is truly the perfect candidate for keeping the kids happy. You’ll find tons of interactive exhibits that focus on everything from science and environmental awareness to culture and the arts. The kids will enjoy playing while the learn - it's the best of both! Be sure to check their events calendar for any special exhibits or attractions that may occur during your visit. Getting In: Boston Children's Museum tickets are included on the Go Boston pass. All Hands to Mischief! at the USS Constitution Museum August 31 - September 3, 2019 Charlestown Navy Yard Come to the USS Constitution Museum this Labor Day weekend to learn about how sailors spent their spare time at sea. The hands-on, interactive activities are great for kids. You can practice writing with a quill pen, play your hand at a nineteenth century board game, and get a temporary nautical tattoo. If you're interested in Old Ironsides herself, consider a cruise like the USS Constitution Cruise which escorts you out to the ship in Boston's Inner Harbor and past other major sights like the Bunker Hill Monument and the Boston Tea Party boat. Getting In: Admission to the USS Constitution Museum is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Boston pass. For more information about this attraction and to purchase tickets, visit the attraction website. USS Constitution Cruise tickets are included with the Go Boston pass. The Boston Arts Festival September 8 & 9, 2019, 11:00 am - 6:30 pm Christopher Columbus Park “Summer in the City” Movie Series Tuesday – Friday, all summer Boston Harbor Hotel What the Fluff? September 21, 2019 Union Square, Somerville This delightful event is perfect for visitors of all ages. Now in its 13th year, this fun festival celebrates all things fluff -- the delectable marshmallow treat that was invented right in Somerville back in 1917. The festival incorporates live music, toys and games for kids, beverages for adults, and tons of fluff-related food items. There's even a cooking contest for the best inventive fluff recipe. Deadline for submissions is September 18! Somerville is located just a little bit north west of Boston proper -- you can get to Union Square easily via bus. Getting In: Admission to the Fluff Festival is free. Remember to Save on Attraction Admission So there are a few examples of fun and exciting things to do in Boston during Labor Day Weekend and into September. There is so much to do in Boston that you're sure to have a great end to your summer vacation. Remember, some of these great attraction options are included on the Go Boston pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the Labor Day weekend events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go Boston pass. We hope you consider visiting some of these attractions to help round out your summer vacation in Boston in style.
Katie Sagal
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Little Women Filming Locations in Boston

Little Women is a classic American novel written by Boston author Louisa May Alcott. It tells the story of four sisters as they come of age during the American Civil War in Boston. There are already TV, film, and theater versions of the novel, but another adaptation will hit the big screen in 2019. Greta Gerwig’s remake of Little Women could be one of the most authentic retellings, as they filmed in Boston and the surrounding areas. Check out the Little Women filming locations in Boston below, including... Harvard Town Hall Louisa May Alcott’s House, Fairmont Copley Plaza Arnold Arboretum And more Save on admission Admission to many popular Boston attractions that appear in Little Women is included in the Go Boston pass. You could save up to 55% on admission vs gate price.  Who wrote Little Women ? The original Little Women novel was written by author Louisa May Alcott. Alcott published the novel in 1968 in two volumes. It was very popular, so as a result, Alcott wrote two sequels to Little Women called Little Men and Jo’s Boys. Who’s in Little Women (2019)? Little Women (2019) is directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Saoirse Ronan as Jo, Emma Watson as Meg, Florence Pugh as Amy, and Eliza Scanlen as Beth. Timothée Chalamet plays Laurie, Meryl Streep plays Aunt March, and Laura Dern plays Mary March. Where was Little Women filmed? Little Women (2019) was filmed in Boston and the surrounding area. Gerwig wanted the film to be authentic, so she shot on location in Massachusetts. Take a look at the Little Women filming locations below... Harvard Fairmont Copley Plaza in Back Bay   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston (@fairmontcopley) on Jul 25, 2019 at 1:38pm PDT You can see the beautiful ballroom of the Fairmont Copley Plaza in the Little Women trailer. Plus, additional filming took place in the surrounding Back Bay area. Coincidentally, if you’re visiting the Plaza or the Back Bay, you’re near the start of the Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour. See where famous films like Ally McBeal, Ted, Good Will Hunting, and The Departed were filmed. We’re sure Little Women will soon be added to this list. This is a must for movie fans visiting Boston. Arnold Arboretum Louisa May Alcott House View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amber (@amberjanice79) on Sep 4, 2019 at 9:27am PDT Little Women fans can’t visit Boston and not visit the Louisa May Alcott House in Concord. Explore Alcott’s home, complete with artifacts like her writing desk. See the house that inspired the setting of Little Women, and where the novel was written. An expert guide will take you from room to room, telling you everything you ever wanted to know about the famous author and her family. Areas outside of Boston Many scenes were filmed just outside of Boston, in towns such as Concord, Lawrence, Stoughton, Ipswich, and Lancaster. All of these towns are an hour or less by driving away from Boston, so are great day trip destinations. Visit these towns to see more of Massachusettes and for a wider understanding of Little Women’s setting. Additionally, they could be ideal spots of some fall-time leaf-peeping! In summary Little Women was filmed in key sites across Boston and the surrounding area. More importantly, many of these locations are public, so you can see them for yourself. Anyone whose favorite book is Little Women has to visit these filming spots on their next Boston vacation. Save on admission The Go Boston pass includes admission to many popular Boston attractions and Little Women filming locations. You could save up to 55% on admission vs gate price. Share your trip with us Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your Little Women adventure with us. Tag us at @GoCity and use #GoCityPass on your travel photos to keep us up to date with your vacation!
Seren Morris

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